robertsamx wrote:

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What do you all think the guy in the OZ group would have looked like if he needed a liver?? 

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 Like you in any of your recent selfies, before you clicked your newfound ruby slippers. Get a selfie of you and the good witch of the east before you leave the land of Oz.

wendyo wrote:

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Yeah he's in the land of Oz alright. I think RC was in that poppy field

 

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 Boy no kidding.

Quite a drip eh?

LOL

Yeah he's in the land of Oz alright. I think RC was in that poppy field

Yup, he's awake.   Mornin' buddy! Oh it IS a very happy new day! He's talkin alright, but, I can tell, YOU are on drugs in Ozland. Now that you own a lovely liver it will make short work of those drugs, so, I agree with Tig, use the call bell, frequently. Dinner! - already?! Never mind us, just take care of number one and your precious gal. We are just so happy here!!!!!!!!!!! Eat, drink, be good, rest.  Love, Us. 

Hey Buddy,

My first thought is someone, half human, half dragon with a great big zipper appropriately located across the abdomen! Am I close? Out with the old burned up Dragon parts and in with the new and improved "RC". 

So glad to hear from you my friend. You had us all sitting on the edge of our seats. It was nice to hear the good news from Chris. We were all able to give a big collective sigh of relief! Not only did Chris get a better night's sleep knowing you were safe and soundly sleeping, but us, too! 

Let us know the particulars, what you can remember and all that good stuff. I'm sure they've prescribed you some "good" drugs for the post op recovery, don't be afraid to use that button. You heal better when you're not having to fight a lot of pain and I'm sure you're having your fair share of it. 

Chris said you were desiring a Big Mac or a large greasy cheese burger. We'll do our best to get one delivered! Getting past the nurses station is going to be the hard part. Maybe we can drop off a few Blizzards while we're at it? You name it, we'll see if we can get Canuck to drive it all down from Vancouver! We're going to have to throw a party for you when you get home. I'll make sure my dancing shoes are polished and ready to go!!

Blood draw and dinner and vitals. will get technical in next hour or so.  RC

Hi All-  Yep its me!!   RC.    Its Wednesday early evening in the Emerald City of Seattle. Isn't that a wonderfully fitting place to be- You all know it -Follow the Yellow Brick road- which leads us all home safe and  healthy.   What do you all think the guy in the OZ group would have looked like if he needed a liver??   Can' wait the hear your take on this one!!   Remember-Cowardly Lion- courage, The Scarecrow-A Brain, Tim Man needs a Heart, so I will ask you all again- What would the guy in the movie The Wizzard of OZ who needs a liver look like ?  Back soon  must go now

So fantastic to read this update... what a joyful and wonderful relief for us all!! 

Very thankful to Chris and to you, Tig, for sharing this news!  And how wonderful to know that Chris had friendly and caring people to keep her company during the long wait. 

Congratulations to RC and Chris, and the wonderful transplant team too of course.  Enjoy every bite of that cheese burger!! 

My insides and outside are smiling. So happy and relieved to hear this. RC will be in that new car of his racing around with that new liver before ya know it! 

YAY!!!!!!!!!

This is such wonderful, great and fantastic news, a lovely new liver for a most deserving man and it's great that Chris got some empathetic company for those long hours. 

Thank you for keeping us in the loop. We will keep you both in our prayers.

Alison

That is such wonderful news!  

wonderful news!!!!

Rollin', Rollin', Roll on RC. Thanks for the update Chris. Very, very happy for you both and thankful to/for all involved!

While I never had a doubt, this is great to hear!

JimmyK

Oh man, oh boy, Wow, OMG, whew. Chris what your hours and his have been! So relieved to hear. Thankyou, thank you, thank you! C.

Hello Everybody,

I just heard from Chris, RC's best friend and significant other. There's great news to share with all of our HepCFriend's Family:

THE TRANSPLANT WAS A COMPLETE SUCCESS!!

Here's the message I just received and think sharing it as written will allow you to see the relief in Chris' own words. I couldn't be happier than I am right now. Our prayers were answered and if any of us deserved this, it's Bob and Chris. They earned this victory the hard way. Our gratitude, love and respect, go out to the Transplant team, the families and donors that made this possible. 

RC had successful liver transplant yesterday, took about 5 hours,  doctor said really good liver.   They kept him asleep in ICU until about 9 this morning and took breathing tube out about 10:30 and he is talking up a storm.   Pretty drugged and in pain but very happy and grateful.  He may get out of ICU this evening if things continue to progress as well as they are.  Already having clear liquids,  wanting cheese burger.   He told me to send you message and let you know the good news.  A couple here in Seattle who went thru this 5 years ago, twice, came up and sat with me and took me to dinner.  We peaked in on Bob about 9:30 last night and I was in bed by 11 and slept until 6. I am doing much better too.   Thanks for your support and friendship.   Bob,  I am sure will post in a day or two.     CC

Wow, wow, and wow RC and Chris!

It's happening!, this day we have all waited and hoped for, for so long for you! 

My heart is still pounding. And yes, you can bet some of us are having tears of joy, concern and relief too.

Man. I fretted about your drive over there, thinking NEITHER of you should be driving this excited state - we shoulda arranged a chauffer for you! But, obviously, you two are handling this, prolly waaay more calmly than some of us here, if you could stop at Mac's for a super-sized snack. Man, what happened to all the healthy spinach salads, etc?, being NPO? Mac, fries, AND a shake!

Only to arrive with 2 precious gifts waiting for you! Everything super-sized!

Tig is right, this is meant to be.

Sweet dreams laddie. xoxo C.

By my calculations, you have begun that 1.5 day nap. The fact that you were blessed with a choice of livers, tells me this was meant to be. Of course it's a difficult time for two families, but these individuals made a choice to give life to another, to you. This is what organ donation is all about. A huge door just opened for you, Bob, walk through with confidence and appreciation for every life touched. It's your time to shine, buddy! Make it so....

God bless and good luck!  

With regard to my absolute hero here I could not be more grateful for the answer to the prayers on your behalf.

There is none stronger here than you my friend.

God bless and keep the family that lost a son.

God bless and keep the family here, that has gained a brother.

Jimmy

Oh... wow!!! 

Finally your time has come, RC, what brilliant news!  I can`t begin to imagine the mix of emotions you and Chris must be feeling, ever since you got the phone call you`ve been waiting so long for!

My heart goes out to the young man`s family, of course, but so thankful that you have this wonderful opportunity for a new life!

All the very best of luck, we`ll all be waiting for updates..... 

Tears in my eyes but it in a good way! I am so thrilled for you RC and Chris. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as well as the surgical team and family that lost their son. 

That's great news, RC! I knew there was a reason I couldn't sleep and here it is. Prayers for you my friend and for the young man and his family. We'll be sitting on the edge of our seats waiting for word from Chris. 

Good luck, Brother. It's in God's hands and that incredible transplant team!

OMG! Robert!  YAY!

I am so excited for you. We will all be waiting anxiously for updates from Ragdoll.

And praying for you and your transplant team of course.

I am very sorry for the family that lost their son but bless them a million times for donating his organs.  The gift of life

Alison

That's great news RC. We'll be waiting to hear about how smooth your new liver is running. It's been a long, bumpy road for you but the freeway is in your future. Roll on!!!

PS: Hang in there Boxers. Your turn is coming up next.

I am new to this so please excuse any dumb computer errors. I have been following RC posts because I too will be going to Swedish for a LT. (once I am on list) I have been desperate to find someone that has had a LT there. I had an emergency hernia repair at Swedish in Jan. related to ascites. They had me on the transplant unit. I was dx. Thursday with HCC after an MRI on Monday. Previous meld was only 14 but I have had numerous complications, HE, bleeding varices, ascites, hernia, 50# wt. loss, TIPPS procedure, amazingly I look healthy so I think people underestimate how sick I am. Retired from a job I love in Jan. due to all the illness. That is the condensed story. Glad there are people out there that understand this wicked demon.

Such wonderful news, RC!  I'm fairly new to all this but have read your story and am so humbled by it.  I join everyone else here in sending you positive thoughts and prayers!

OMG<OMG<OMG<OMG>OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

My heart is pounding RC.

OMG.    OK EVERYONE!   Thank you all for your prayers.   I just got the call, I was just offered a LIVER!!!  Im on my way to Seattle to start things up!  Ragdoll will keep you all informed.   Im in shock. The story about this liver offer would make a great movie- I will fill you in at a later date.  im going to get a liver- talk soon. RC

Im speechless, Im grateful, please pray for the family that lost there son.  

I sent him a PM and haven't heard back yet. I know they're both knee deep in preparation and battle planning. There isn't a day goes by that we aren't thinking and praying for them both!

For those new members that aren't familiar with RC, he's one of our Moderators. Please review his story here. He was waiting to participate in a trial and following a qualification MRI, they discovered HCC, Hepatic Cellular Cancer. The doctors tried through a series of ablation procedures, to destroy the tumors. They were only partially successful. Seemed that as soon as they destroyed one, another one or three would pop up. He calls himself the perfect storm of tumor producers. He is now on the top of the transplant list of a major Seattle area hospital, waiting for that call.

He and his wife, Chris, are two of the most special people you will ever meet. Their message to those people wondering if HCV treatment is important, would probably be, "Are you kidding?" When diagnosed with Hep C, your goal should be prompt treatment. 

2nd that. xoxo  C.

Was thinking about RC today. Putting some vibes out there and hoping for an update..........

That is is great news RC, also scary. I can't imagine being in your shoes, I have enough troubles waiting for Xmas morning to open gifts and I'm in my 40s! ;)

One of my husbands colleagues was told he was dying this week. He is only in his 50s, he has destroyed his liver and now has liver cancer.

The oddity of this world where many people are fighting to survive a virus they didn't deserve, whilst others are so addicted, they are ill enough to destroy their liver and not able to help themselves.

Anyway, keep us up-to-date, we all love a happy ending!

Wow, RC, this is all excellent news!! 

You`re right on top of this, so very pleased for you!  And for Chris of course... hugs to you both!   

Yay Robert!

I am so excited for you. Number 3 on the transplant list!

Thank you for sharing your news with us.

A

Just in case you thought I was kidding! Nothing quite like tall cotton to finish the job! RC knows what I mean! I liked the video, Mike. That was a nice Caddy, 58 I think. We'd look good in that! I'd look good in that new Lexus, too!

Canuck wrote:

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RC, 

Tig said WHAT? ... "You're going to be pooing in tall cotton before you know it!" ? ... Never mind, plug your ears RC! That's just Tig's going all potty-mouth again. hee hee.

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 LOL Here's a more appropriate version for your tender, innocent little ears.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhsbhbnKoR0

RC, 

Tig said WHAT? ... "You're going to be pooing in tall cotton before you know it!" ? ... Never mind, plug your ears RC! That's just Tig's going all potty-mouth again. hee hee.

WELL! Talk about BIG good news! Man, what a dif 10 days makes eh? (since your last post) or, should I say what a dif 7 days makes (since your MRI), or, should I say since .... oh never mind. What a short and long time!

I am stunned!!

How can something like this, something wonderful like this, that we have all been SO long waiting and hoping for, just sneak up and surprize us like this! Weird, it should not feel like a surprize, after all the hard work you and Chris and your docs have invested in this, but still, it still feels that way!

God, you two must be great big bags of nerves, and happy and relieved (us too), that finally you are there, in line, for a brand new healthy liver and a new lease on that bod of yours.

I'm glad you got a transplant buddy there to compare notes with.

So, only 15 mins with the doc?, so how much time does the coordinator lady spend with you? - there's gotta be at least 25 years worth of details and q&A's to cover!  

Ducks in a row, engines reving, and Wendy's analogy comes to mind, hurry up and wait! I hope the wait is just the right amount of time, this time, not so soon that you have hardly had a minute to get your head around it, and not too long for it to feel like it's dragging on and on.

I can't wait for you to be in that special place where you have a brand new functioning organ, doing it's job, cleansing you, feeding you, being on guard for you, as it should be.

Lucky, lucky, lucky to be an A+. Here is hoping your kind donor is A+, A-, O+, O-. Lots of folk out there with those types!  C.

That's fantastic news RC!!!!!!! I know they don't sell livers on the Walmart shelf, but being 3rd on the list and type A+ means you better have already packed, have gas in the car and have the car warming up. Yes we do care and this news makes my day! Nobody I know of deserves this more than you do with all the hurdles you have overcome to get to this point. You and/or Chris be sure to let us know what time today you get that call...or tomorrow if it takes that long.

I like the "stunned" tumor part. but we all know some of us are not quite right.

RC - this is the best news....packing your bag like a pregnant woman. WOO HOO 

Please have Chris update us when you get the call/admitted. 

wendy

Greetings Brother.

This is exactly what the prayers have been about. I am very thankful for the news and view this as FANTASTIC!

God Bless, you got this one!

JimmyK

Hey Brother,

Wow! That's quite a report. I think that qualifies for scary exciting! I am absolutely thrilled to hear of your current place on the TP list. Very cool indeed!

That dodgy little sh*t in sector 8 just won't give up! You mentioned in the past that you are a proficient tumor maker and you weren't kidding. Let's get rid of that lump of trouble! They need to put that section in formaldehide and give that section to you when this is done. Show it who's boss. Put it on the shelf and throw things at it as you walk by. Damn thing... Have you named it yet? Something like PIA or similar seems appropriate!

Get that bag packed. I bet you have it sitting by the door already. You're going to be pooing in tall cotton before you know it. Things are finally where they need to be. You have both worked tirelessly to make this happen and the HCC Transplant Train is just around the bend. We'll be the one's waving back as you leave the Station! Make sure you let us know the minute you hear something. We all plan to be in the waiting room with Chris! 

For those curious about HCC staging, here's some info: Li-RADS

Hi All,   Got some new stuff to report.   I had the MRI done on the 27th of June. It shows that the last procedure which was the TACE Procedure did not kill the tumor, its stunned and not growing, so we just keep an eye on it for now. All the other ablation"s 5 or 6 of them all had a complete response and are considered treated and gone (dead).  There is a new leasion in section 3 of my liver that is 2.3cm X 2.6cm that just barley shows a post contrast wash out and has no definitive capsule , so they are calling it (staging it) as a LR-4. We will keep a close eye on this one and re-scan in two months.They also reported for the first time that there is trace perihepatic ascites. This is the first time anyone has ever mentioned ascites, so far I have been well compensated.This alarmed me a little.  

But now for the good news--  I was told I am (3) Third on the list for transplant at my Transplant Hospital.  I"m a blood  TYPE A+. Which is the most common blood type, so I could be called in any time soon!!!   It could come this week or 6 months from now, but being #3 on the list puts me on top!! The Dr just spent 15 minutes with me, then in walked a gal I have never seen or talked to, and it turns out she is the POST Transplant coordinator and she told me to pack a bag at home, that I was third in line for a LIVER, and the call could come anytime now.My MELD score is 28, and will be 29 next week.  I"m excited and scared half to death at the same time.  Im meeting with a past friend today that has had 2 L/T in the last 5 years. Blood clot took out the first one just a month into it, but the second liver has taken well and he feels great. Anyway, I"m on my way!   Thanks everyone for caring--- RC

Is that you? inside of that great big red machine RC?, I can hardly make you out in there, do those cars come with a couple red helmets, you should get some (like Mike has color-coordinated his green helmet to his bike)?

I think I might have seen you on TV, in that Lexus commercial!

varoom, shouldn't take very long to get to Seattle in that.

Where the heck is it safe to park it once you're there! I hope it's not valet parking.

Can't wait for your next update. Xoxoxo 

robertsamx wrote:

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I"m getting a Lexus LC500.

I thought the top speed was governed at 178? They say it will go faster but I would need to find a way around the governor.

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 I may have been looking at specs for LC500h?

robertsamx wrote:

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Thanks for flipping the pic Mike. however it looks like the car has moved? Did you take her for a little spin while you were flipping her??

Im heading over to Seattle this week for a MRI.

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Yes, of course I took it for a spin. You can tell by the burnt rubber stuck to the inner fender-well.  In order to eliminate or edit the speed limiter in the PCM, you'll need software that can edit the value in the powertrain tables. I use this type of software, but mainly on GM, Ford and Mopar applications. Such may or may not be available for the TMC platform. I'll look around and see what I can find for you.
 We're always very anxious to get more good news about your upcoming new liver so be sure to post the MRI results here ASAP. We'll be waiting....

Nice car, RC, very nice indeed!!  Happy for you! 

All the best with your MRI scan, keep moving forward... 

That is a very beautiful and sexy car! I agree with WendyO ...you totally deserve that.

Hope all goes well in Seattle. 

A

Thanks for flipping the pic Mike. however it looks like the car has moved? Did you take her for a little spin while you were flipping her??     I thought the top speed was governed at 178? They say it will go faster but I would need to find a way around the governor. We took it back to the dealer on Monday to have the 3-M clear wrap put on all the hood,all the front bumper, rockers and leading edge of the rear fender, we dont want any rock chips!! This car is the shot in the arm I have been looking for! 

Im heading over to Seattle this week for a MRI. This is a compliance MRI and blood work to keep me on the Transplant list. (holding at a meld score of 28 for now). I"ll let ya know how it goes next week!   RC

She's a beauty RC, enjoy! 

Just got back from business trip to Little Rock and thought of you Mike as I was in your state. Like the new pic.